In 1996 I replied to a newspaper advert, pen friends for people in the British Army – I thought it would be a nice thing to do.

On the 13th January 1997 I received my first letter from Steve, he was 23 years and had been serving in the British army since he was 18 years old, the airmail letter came from Bosnia. We never actually met, we just wrote to each other for a period of 2 years.

I was clearing out old papers from my mum’s house the other day and came across Steve’s letters to me – 31 of them. Today I am reading all these letters again, I am happy, I am sad (but in a good way) and I have gained such heart warming inspiration from them, all over again….I wonder where Steve is now? I wish him very well

These are the little unexpected moments of life that put some true meaning and purpose into it all. Feeling blessed.

Write a letter to someone today, go on, I know it would be a very lovely thing to do and you and the other person will get so much from it.

Love Clarabelle

Please note, that sadly after writing this blog post, I was so sad to find out that Steve passed away in September 2012 at the very young age of 39 years, I am so shocked. I will try my best to get in touch with his mum and forward his beautiful letters to her. He was so happy and full of life, such a loss to this world that he is no longer here. I think this is just a little reminder to us all that we must make the most of our lives and focus on the important things to us going forward. Clarabelle

I was in a local charity shop yesterday and stumbled across this lovely little friendship book. On the inside of the book it says, “To Veronica from Valerie,” and I thought that was very cute. I began reading some of the verses and poetry from within and the words really did touch my heart, I could relate to every verse. There is one verse from Pam Brown which I especially connected with and it made me think of my friend right now, who is far away but I hope to see him very soon.

Far Away

In loneliness, in sickness, in confusion – the mere knowledge of friendship makes it possible to endure, even if the friend is powerless to help. It is enough that they exist. Friendship is not diminished by distance or time, by imprisonment or war, by suffering or silence. It is in these things that it roots most deeply. It is from these things that it flowers. [Pam Brown, b. 1928]

The Eve of Christmas Eve

Welcome to the eve of Christmas Eve and Day 23 of sharing a Christmas Poem with you. We all miss loved ones at Christmas who can’t be with us but they are always on our minds, even more so at this time of year. This next Christmas Poem is a precious sentiment to all our loved ones who can’t be here in body but I am sure are with us in spirit, every part of this Christmas Day. Lots of love to you this Christmas.

I’ll Never Stop Missing You

I’ll never stop missing you, At Christmas and the whole year through. You’re in my heart, everywhere I go, In my tears, when I feel low. Only because I want you here, To hold you tight, to have you near. Just one more time, to see your face, To hug you close in a warm embrace. When you did go, darkness fell, You went to heaven, earth felt like hell. I battled I struggled, my heart was torn, You were always there, from the day I was born. And even though, time has past, I remember our chats, forever they’d last. The fun times we had, walking together, Hail, rain or snow, whatever the weather. Christmas is upon us and I want you to know, When I look above, I know you show. I know you’re here, every step of the way, Every move I make, every whisper I pray. I love you more, than you’ll ever know, Beyond the stars, beyond their glow. And on this Christmas morn, my heart does smile, You want me to be happy, forever and a while. So I’ll take a deep breath, and rejoice this Christmas Day, Because that’s what you’d want, I can hear you say. So when I see little Robin, chirping at me. I know it’s a symbol that you are free.

True Friends at Christmas

It is so lovely to receive an unexpected call from a true friend at Christmas time. I am just off the phone from a really good friend of mine who moved away from Scotland this year and it was so lovely to hear her voice and chat and laugh with her. This has inspired this Day 14 Christmas Poem. Go on, pick up the phone today and give a true friend some warm Christmas Love. Clarabelle

Friends at Christmas

Friends at Christmas,are so special and true.A chat full of joy,through and through.We talk of good times,we laugh a lot.We think of Christmas,and all we’ve got.Friends at Christmas,are so precious to me.Phone a friend this Christmas,and let true friendship be.

Believing is Seeing

The tide is turning, EVERYTHING is changing for the better, 2014 welcomes you with open arms, get ready to rock ‘n roll and take the challenge on…..success is on the horizon, I feel it for you, BELIEVING is seeing, make sure you do that. This next poem is inspired by just that and it is for YOU. Love Clarabelle.

YOU Are Gold

In every challenge,there’s potential in you.In every thought,in all you do.

Believe the hype,believe it’s true.You are special,So loved through and through.

A broken heart,drowning in the sea.Mind swirling around,Set yourself free.

As the high winds howl,like a wolf in the night.Look for the stars,They are your guiding light.

When you are the bottom,the only way is up.When shattered dreams,feel heavy in your cup.

But one year on,You’ll look back on this day.Success was in the failure,because you found your way.

The path of life,never goes straight.One day lost in the maze,One day finding the gate.

The way out is clear,you can’t see it with your eyes.It’s from deep within your heart,Its whispers are wise.

The people on your road,are here for a reason.Some for a lifetime,some just for a season.

But remember this,YOU are gold.A precious stone,No one can mold.

So when darkness falls,and you have no light.Remember your heart,will always shine bright.

Like an angel in the wind,Floating by your side.She appears in many people,Being your silent guide.

I had this thought whilst out running yesterday morning, it certainly made me think and maybe because I am very much a ‘people person’ i.e. I love people, is why I think this way.

Golden Summer Meadow

Imagine you were walking alone through a beautiful golden summer meadow, beneath the bluest of skies, with the sun beaming down on all the colours of the flowers around you, the scenery is so stunning it has a white haze around it, as if you were in your own beautiful dream.

You feel lots of love around you, you feel happy, contented and at peace, you are grateful for this moment, you feel very blessed indeed. Imagine that moment for yourself right now, if you’re anything like me, you feel so happy and have a soft smile upon your face. What is it that makes you feel that way, when you walk through the golden summer meadow, what makes you feel at one?

Think About This Now

Now I’m going to switch this up a little bit, imagine everything is the same as above but the only difference is, you now know that you are the only person living in this world whilst walking through the beautiful golden summer meadow, think about this now, how does it make you feel? I thought about this, the surroundings have not changed but for me, now I feel alone, now I feel lifeless, now I feel lacking in energy, now I feel dead inside……why do I feel this way?

No Life But Your Own

For me, it is because there are no people to share this experience with, no family or friends to go home and talk to, no conversations to look forward to, no laughter shared with another, no life but your own, no relationships to nurture, no one to give your love to, no one to love, just to give love to yourself.

So I am thinking, that you have can as much self love within you to reach the stars and back but if you don’t have other people in your life to share it with, to give your love to, it becomes dead, it doesn’t thrive, it doesn’t grow.

Field of Love

You see this made me think about how we are all connected, we are all connected with that invisible field of love, love’s energy is keeping this Universe alive and the best way for the Universe to grow and thrive is to share your love with others and in doing so you get more love.

A little love goes a long way, you will never be alone in the beautiful golden summer meadow as long as there is love inside of you and the knowing that it is reaching out to others.

Your love is so powerful, more powerful than you will ever know but I feel the key is to ensure you share it, you give yourself the opportunity to express it, you give it, this I feel is what will ignite the inner flame of your own love, it will take root and nourish every part of your very being.

Another way of looking at it is this, imagine you’re the only person in this world with a loving heart……..I think that’s another blog post.

Thank you for taking the time to read my running reflections, would be good to know what you think of it all, I’d love to know.

I celebrated by 40th birthday in Edinburgh this weekend and I had a lovely time with my bestest friends. It got me thinking about birthday wishes. What is a wish really and does it hold more depth of meaning on your birthday?.….You know, that moment of precious thought and hope just before you blow the birthday candles out, in the photo below, I was thinking of that….that special birthday wish, the secrets of my soul, the desires of my heart and all that. What did I wish for? Well, it has always been tradition to not share your birthday wish with anyone, because if you did then it might not come true.

My birthday wish this year was very general, not too specific but something I feel is also really achievable. I will stick to tradition and not share it….just yet, actually, now that I think about it, in that very moment captured in this photograph below I believe I have it….yes, indeed I do truly have it – I wonder if you can guess what it is? I wonder if it actually shows, can you see, can you feel it, can you tell I already have it?

I have a lot of gratitude bursting inside of me right now, I know it was always there but I didn’t always show it. I know I am walking the path of gratitude, I am growing and becoming a better person every day but I want to continue to develop all of this in a natural and very genuine way, it must not be forced.

What a Feeling

Yesterday, I was with a client and he shared with me a “Mood Lift Chart”.….WOW, I just loved this. The chart scale goes from a score of minus 9 which represents a depressed mood to plus 9 which represents gratitude. When I looked at this chart I instantly smiled because I knew at that moment in time I was in a grateful mood, the top of the chart – what a feeling!!

I was filled with gratitude most of the day yesterday, I reached out to people I know, because I wanted to thank them for being in my life right now. I just know that those simple words of “thank you” meant so much to me and the person receiving them.

A simple thank you goes a long long way, who do you want to thank today for being in your life right now? Go on, reach out to them, say those beautiful words with meaning and purpose and you will be camping at the top of the “Mood Lift Chart”.

I had the most amazing childhood, it was full of fun, adventure and magical spirit. I was surrounded by an abundance of friends, love and laughter….I hold these special memories very close to my heart, they are locked in my soul forever…..we will never be apart!! This next poem is inspired by my childhood dreams and those treasured times of the past that have shaped who I am today. If I ever feel I have travelled afar from who I really am, I think of those rainbow days and those long summer sunsets, where I danced in the wind, laughed in the rain and played with love in my heart, every moment of every day. I wish you a day filled with a childlike free spirit that makes you feel so very happy inside. I am smiling now, I do hope you are. Love, Clarabelle

Life can be full of shocks and surprises, usually when you least expect it. I heard some sad news recently, the unexpected passing away of an adult friend from my childhood. Instantly I thought of the loved ones that are left behind and trying to cope with their loss and sadness. It made me think of how I was able to cope when my Dad passed away many years ago. I wrote this poem in the hope that it will bring some comfort and solace to the grieving family and friends, you are all in my prayers. Much love to you Clarabelle

It’s not very often that I receive a postcard these days, when I was younger it was much more common and usually every time a friend or family member would go on holiday you were usually guaranteed a postcard, which normally always arrived when they were back. However, lately, I have received two postcards from a very good friend of mine, the first one is from when she visited Berlin, Germany and the second one is from when she visited Cambridge in London,UK. It really did make my day when I received the postcards and I have decided to pay that forward when I go on holiday – it will be postcards all round. This next poem is inspired by just that, I hope you like it. Wishing you an adventurous day filled with travels to wonderful worldly locations. Lots of love Clarabelle

Postcards from the Heart

Postcards from the heart, travel very far,

Passing from country to country, raising every bar.

Caught up in the wind, making its way to you,

Filled with beautiful energy, inspiring what you do.

And when the postman knocks, to put it in your hand,

It brings with it adventure, from across this wonderful land.

It tells of happy times, memories with a smile,

And now lives in this present moment, bringing love from every travelled mile.

poemsbyclarabelle, 8 October 2012

Please click on the link below if you wish to hear the Poemcast for this blog post, recited by Clarabelle.

If you enjoy what you read here on this blog, you may be interested in borrowing for FREEand/or purchasing one of Clarabelle’s self-published inspirational poetry ebooks available to download now on Amazon Kindle, please refer to the Author page on this blog or clickHERE

I have been reflecting today on the wonderful close friends I have in my life, some of them I have known for over 30 years of my life and others for about one year. Regardless of the length of time I have known them, each and everyone of them is very special to me, their support is second to none and just talking to them instantly uplifts my spirits to another dimension. This poem is dedicated to my dearest friends, Donna, Sharon, Richard, Debbie and Dagmar, I shall champion you forever, thank you for all that you give me and much more. May I encourage you to let your friends know how truly special they are to you.

Friendship has true meaning, a simple gifted treasure,

When you’re feeling a little stuck, or need a partner for your leisure.

A real friend will be there, always just for you,

Holding your hand, to help you see tough times through.

An empathetic listening ear, gentle hug or warm smile,

A forever empowering note, that goes the extra mile.

Friendship is so sweet, like sugar in your tea,

Friends separate from the ‘I’ and turn it into ‘We’.

Friendship is the gift, of endearment and inner strength,

To support you indeed, friends will go to arms length.

Today I reflect on my friends, who are so very dear,

Like beautiful guardian angels, they bring me good cheer.

So wherever your dreams take you, please remember to tell,

Your friends that they are magical, like an enchanting wishing well.

Happy are their hearts, that shine upon you,

The closest of connections, without needing any glue.

Now we share the laughter, and hopes for all time,

I have friends in a million, I’d give them my last dime.

So often we forget ,the joy they bring each day,

Thank you my closest friends, in my heart for you I pray.

poemsbyclarabelle, 2 May 2012

If you really like what you read here on this blog, you may be interested in purchasing one of Clarabelle’s self-published inspirational ebooks available to download now on Amazon Kindle, please refer to the Author page on this blog or click HERE

Have you ever had a friend that you lost touch with for a few years and then all of a sudden and out of the blue, they contact you to say ‘hello’. This happened to me the other day and although it was unexpected at that time, I somehow always believed that I would hear their call, I just had to give it time. Rather than trying to catch the butterfly, give it the time it needs and then it will come and sit on your shoulder. May your day be filled with beautiful butterfly moments. Lots of love Clarabelle.

This was my first poem posted here on this blog in April this year, now that I have many more blog followers I thought I would reblog some of my favourite postings. I hope you enjoy. Have a beautifully inspired day. Lots of love Clarabelle

Superhero

I was inspired to write the following poem after spending some time with a new friend in my life, his spirit was very refreshing and his soul was very honest and true. I sensed he was coming from a good place and it was that real connection with him that led me to write ‘Superhero’.

I have been reflecting today on the wonderful close friends I have in my life, some of them I have known for over 30 years of my life and others for about one year. Regardless of the length of time I have known them, each and everyone of them is very special to me, their support is second to none and just talking to them instantly uplifts my spirits to another dimension. This poem is dedicated to my dearest friends, Donna, Sharon, Debbie and Dagmar, I shall champion you forever, thank you for all that you give me and much more. May I encourage you to let your friends know how truly special they are to you.

Friendship has true meaning, a simple gifted treasure

When you’re feeling a little stuck, or a partner for your leisure

A real friend will be there, always just for you

Holding your hand, to help you see tough times through

An empathetic listening ear, gentle hug or warm smile

A forever empowering note, that goes the extra mile

Friendship is so sweet, like sugar in your tea

Friends separate from the ‘I’ and turn it into ‘We’

Friendship is the gift, of endearment and inner strength

To support you indeed, friends will go to arms length

Today I reflect on my friends, who are so very dear

Like beautiful guardian angels, they bring me good cheer

So wherever your dreams take you, please remember to tell

Your friends that they are magical, like an enchanting wishing well

Happy are their hearts, that shine upon you

The closest of connections, without needing any glue

Now we share the laughter, and hopes for all time

I have friends in a million, I’d give them my last dime

So often we forget ,the joy they bring each day

Thank you my closest friends, in my heart for you I pray

poemsbyclarabelle, 2 May 2012

If you really like what you read here on this blog, you may be interested in purchasing one of Clarabelle’s self-published inspirational ebooks available to download now on Amazon Kindle, please refer to the Author page on this blog or click HERE

Poem “You Are The King”

This poem ‘You are the King’ is written about my good friend who lives thousands of miles away from me and although we have actually never met in person, we continue to communicate regularly through the internet. We have helped each other through tough times over the last year and this poem celebrates our brotherly, sisterly bond and growing friendship.

You are the King

We are miles apart but I feel close to you

A special connection between us two

Through challenging times, we helped each other

Our friendship grew stronger, like sister and brother

You are highly intelligent, with dark handsome looks

We chatted for hours and discussed inspiring books

I learned so much, in a short space of time

Uncovering raw moments, your soul it touched mine

In this crazy world, there is one law that’s true

The Law of Attraction, brought me to you

And in this dimension, new beginnings took place

Rekindling self-awareness, that showed your real face

Leonardo, Leonardo, you are the King

When I hear your smooth voice, my heart it does sing

And at the edge of the pier, I look out to the sun

The horizon is honest, where we meet everyone

Sunshine smiles, love and laughter

Our worlds did meet……I wish you happy ever after

poemsbyclarabelle, 20 April 2012

If you really like what you read here on this blog, you may be interested in purchasing one of Clarabelle’s self-published inspirational ebooks available to download now on Amazon Kindle, please refer to the Author page on this blog or click HERE

Superhero

I was inspired to write the following poem after spending some time with a new friend in my life, his spirit was very refreshing and his soul was very honest and true. I sensed he was coming from a good place and it was that real connection with him that led me to write ‘Superhero’.

Superhero

Here comes the superhero into the night

Flying around, so wonderful and bright

There is magic in his eyes, I see he is brave

A courageous manner, towards all he will save

His strength is not obvious, it comes from within

A growing heart, that’s looking for its twin

Softly spoken, comes out these wise words

Turning my mind, like humming birds

Shall I ask him the question, that I want to know

How he picks up my spirits, when I’m feeling low

There is a connection, that the eyes cannot see

Although it’s invisible, it’s as strong as can be

You go for your dreams, it may take a while

But when you get there, there’s this everlasting smile

And when I look back, it’s easy to forget

How you changed me for the better, from the moment we first met

Thank you superhero, an inspiration you are

I’m under your wing, let’s travel afar.

poemsbyclarabelle, 1 March 2012

If you really like what you read here on this blog, you may be interested in purchasing one of Clarabelle’s self-published inspirational ebooks available to download now on Amazon Kindle, please refer to the Author page on this blog or click HERE